How to Make Hot Air Balloon Ornament Tutorial

I made my hot air balloon ornament, using a plastic Christmas ornament I bought at the 99 Cents Only store. There were some cute pink ornaments there that would be perfect for a girls mobile.

Here is my version.

I created a template below that you can download and print. You can resize it to the same proportion as your ornament. The easiest way to resize it would be to drag it into Microsoft Word and resize. You could get fancy and do it in photoshop or get even fancier and not use the template at all and find any basket texture and draw out a template for a box. If you just want to skip the basket making altogether see the alternative at the bottom of post.
Step1.
Materials needed are as follows:
Glue Stick
Scotch Tape
scissors or an exacto knife
2 Pennies or 1 nickel (optional)
2 pieces of string (6 inches long each)
1 loop screw
1 Plastic ball ornament
Template of hot air balloon basket cut out (template is below). When you cut out the template it is easiest to fold over the basket portion and cut them on top of each other. That way both pieces are exactly the same shape. You could cut them out separately but the pieces may not align if you don't cut them perfectly.

Step 2
When you cut out the template you can x non patterned side so you know which sides align. Fold the basket like the image above.

Step 3
Remove the top basket and tape a nickel ,two pennies or anything that will weigh down the basket. This is optional. I did this as an afterthought after I

Step 4
Tape one corner together.

Step 5
Take string and attach tape onto string.

Step 6
Attach string to corner that was taped in step 4

Step 7
Do step 4 - 6 for opposite corner.

Step 8
Repeat with other string on other two corners of basket. Make sure string is even or else basket will not be level when attached. Use glue stick on the top part of basket and place top part of basket inside the basket. This will make the inside and outside of basket have the same pattern and look more finished.

Step 9
Glue the "trim" strip and place around top of basket.

Step 10
Finished basket.

Step 11
Remove the "cap" off the plastic ornament.

Step 12
Place the string in an "X" position on the cap of the ornament (see image)

Step 13
Whoops I mis-numbered my diagram! There is no 13 :)

Step 14
Make sure basket is level.

Step 15
Using this loop screw, screw it into the "bottom" of the ornament (bottom of ornament is now top of hot air balloon). You may need to predrill a small hole if your ornament is thick.

Step 16
Attach basket onto ornament by placing "cap" back on.

** An alternative if you don't want to make a the basket out of paper is to use a plastic soda bottle cap and paint it brown. Hot glue the strings to it

*** If you are making this into a mobile, I would hot glue gun the cap of the ornament onto the ball so there is no risk of coming apart and being a choking hazard. I would also hang it high enough that it cannot be reached or pulled down by the child.

This looks very simple yet elegant when finished. I think I will try it, and work with what to do with it afterwards. I think I may use this in the way Thea---Dec. 11- mentioned.......using the little basket for tiny gifts. I think it is something I can work with and make it with a few of my own ideas that will personalize it somewhat. Would that be okay? I love your tutorials...

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